DISCOVER-ME brings together researchers, clinicians, people with ME/CFS and patient organisations across Europe to investigate the biological mechanisms of ME/CFS and translate new knowledge into clinically meaningful outcomes.
Project Overview
DISCOVER-ME is a Horizon Europe project bringing together leading experts, clinicians, people with ME/CFS and organisations across Europe. Over four years, we will generate new knowledge, validate it rigorously and translate it into real-world benefit.
Our Objectives
Our goals follow the project’s path from identification and validation to prioritisation and discovery, carried forward by translation, to drive progress for ME/CFS: investigating the biological mechanisms underlying ME/CFS, developing improved diagnostic approaches, and building the evidence base needed for better clinical recognition and treatment. Our aim is to discover the biological mechanisms of ME/CFS through collaborative research, and to translate discoveries into tools, treatments and approaches that improve the lives of those affected.
Spanning ten Work Packages, and combining biomedical research with direct patient involvement at every stage, we aim to ensure the discoveries translate into real-world impact for the people affected by this condition. Alongside this, we include a systematic drug-repurposing programme.
DISCOVER-ME At A Glance
48
Months
21
Partners
12
Countries
Horizon Funded
First EU Call Dedicated to ME/CFS
What is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME or ME/CFS)
In the EU alone, the disease is estimated to cost EUR 40 billion a year.
ME affects an estimated 70 million people worldwide, yet diagnosis in Europe currently takes an average of 6.8 years, fewer than 5% of patients ever make a full recovery, and there is still no approved treatment.
The EMERG Consortium
DISCOVER-ME unites 21 partner organisations across 12 countries, coordinated by the Medical University of Vienna, spanning leading universities, research institutes and patient organisations across Europe.
The project brings together clinical phenotyping, immunology, metabolism, disease modelling and large-scale data analysis to:
- Identify and validate biomarkers that can distinguish ME from other conditions
- Build in silico and in vitro models of the disease to understand its underlying mechanisms
- Assess the social and economic impact of ME on patients and health systems
- Create a sustainable data-sharing platform for the wider research community
- Ensure findings translate into real clinical benefit for patients
PPI Patient Advisory Group
The DISCOVER-ME PPI Patient Advisory Group (PAG) brings together representatives from European ME organisations through the European ME Alliance (EMEA).
The PAG brings the knowledge and experiences of patients and carers, together with patient organisation perspectives, to the project, contributing to research, communication and other project activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about DISCOVER-ME, ME/CFS and how the project works.
Governance
DISCOVER-ME is coordinated by the Medical University of Vienna (MUVienna).
The project’s governance is structured through two main bodies.